Trojans lose another underclassman

Southern California guard Fred Matua became the third Trojans player to skip his senior season, when he entered the NFL draft Saturday.

Matua, a junior, follows Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush and running back LenDale White.

"To leave a great school like USC is hard," said Matua, who turned 22 Saturday. "Any time you do something like that, it's hard. But I prayed about it, thought about it, and the opportunity's there and I'm trying to savor that."

Matua was an All-Pac-10 second-team pick last season. He said he entered the draft to help his family financially.

During his high school years, Matua's mother battled breast cancer.

"The hard work is in my hands," he said. "There are a lot of things that need to be done in my family. There's a lot of financial struggles that I have, there's a lot of financial struggles that need to be taken care of."

Matua said he hired Steve Feldman as his agent.

ALSO: Tennessee defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, sued this week for injuring a fellow student, will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft, coach Phillip Fulmer said.

A student McDaniel hit in the face during a pickup basketball game last year filed an $800,000 lawsuit Thursday for damages in Knox County Circuit Court . . . Ohio State strong safety Donte Whitner will skip his senior year to enter the NFL draft. Whitner becomes the third Buckeyes underclassman to make the jump to the pros. Cornerback Ashton Youboty and wide receiver Santonio Holmes have already said they were leaving Ohio State.